Q&A with Damon Williams, executive director

For The Sun Today Damon Williams is the executive director at Sun City.

Damon Williams has been at Sun City Hilton Head for more than 10 years.

He had been assistant executive director since January 2011 before being named executive director in July 2012.

Williams also served as director of common area maintenance and has extensive experience and involvement in golf course management.

He is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Public Administration. He holds certifications from the Community Association Institute (CAI), Manager of Community Associations (CMCA), Association Management Specialist (AMS), Professional Landcare Network (LICM), Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) among others.

The Community Association sat down the Williams for a question and answer session.

Q. Who is the new vendor for the Hidden Cypress Grille?

A. The Community Association has partnered with Jameson’s Charhouse, which operates seven restaurants in the Chicago suburbs, including one in our sister community, Sun City Huntley. For the past three years, Huntley residents have enjoyed this top-notch restaurant and its full bar and catering services, and I firmly believe that Sun City Hilton Head residents will enjoy what Jameson’s Charhouse has to offer. It has all the features that residents asked for when we surveyed the community last summer: quality restaurant with reasonable prices, catering, excellent bar service and carry-out options. We are excited about this new partnership, and more details about menus, opening dates and more will be forthcoming. I again want to thank the Hidden Cypress Grille Task Force, staff and Board members who were all involved in working to select a new vendor for one of our community restaurants.

Q. Has a new Safety and Standards Director been named?

A. We recently named Corenza Vaughn as the new Safety and Standards Director. Corenza spent nine years with PulteHomes in various sales, development and management roles, and was instrumental in the construction of Sun City’s Dog Park and Nature Trail. Her thorough knowledge of the property and governing documents will help the department take a more proactive approach to Community Standards protocol. We also had a number of staffing changes since the beginning of the year. Shannon Archer has been promoted to Assistant Executive Director, while Controller Kim Burgess will lead the Accounting Department. In Health and Wellness, Lori Holland was recently promoted to Assistant Health and Wellness Director. I know that Sun City Hilton Head has outstanding associates who work here, and the recent staff changes will help further enhance and streamline our service to residents.

Q. At the quarterly meeting in January, you mentioned two studies that will be performed this year. What are those?

A. This year, Wentworth staff will be working with an outside firm and the finance committee on a reserve study. We now perform this study every three years. Also, staff will develop, working with several committees’ input, the next five-year budget plan to cover 2014-2019. These reports tie together to help us plan capital and reserve projects, and other improvement needs in the years to come.

Q. Do you have more information about the upcoming traffic study?

A. The Community Association has partnered with an engineering firm to conduct a traffic study here early in the second quarter. The neighborhood representative council has suggested some areas for the engineers to look at, and you may notice crews surveying our roads, evaluating stop signs, stop strips in parking lots, speed limits, line-of-sight issues and other items. Once the results are submitted to the Association, the board of directors will review the study and decide which items might be implemented. Those decisions will be prioritized based primarily on safety considerations. Monetary factors will be considered as well.

Q. When is the next meet your executive director event?

A. Mark your calendar for 1 p.m. April 3 at the Lakehouse for the next meet your executive director event. Please come with questions about the operations in Sun City Hilton Head.